The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1887-09-03

was restored. Amendments to the con-
stitution might proceed from the people |
as represented III the legislatures of the !
states; or from the people as represented |
il congress; or from the people as present
in convention; in every case to be valid |
only with the assent Of three fonlths of
the states.
Mason, in snllen discomfort at the grant
of power ia IA bare maj nifty of congress t"
pass navigation acts, and dteailng that
"a few rich merchants III l'hil'.delphia'
New York, AID Boston might by tlat
meens monopnlize the staples of the
southern states aud reduce their value
perhaps fifty per cent, moved "that no
law in the nature of Il navigation act be
pas ed before the year eighteen hundred
and eight, without the consent of two
thirds of each branch of the legislature;'
but he was supported only by Mary land
Virginia, and Georgia.
Nexr, II indolph, whose weight as Gov.
of Virginia might turn the scale in that
state, declared his intention to withhold
his signature from the constitution that
he might retain freedom as to his ultI
mate action; and, agreeing exactly with
Richard Henry Lee, he moved that
state conventions might have the power
to offer to the constitution which was to
be laid before them as many amendments
as they pleased; and that these amend
ments. together with the constitutions
should be submitted to another general
convention for a final decision. He was
seconded by Mason, who said: The gov
eminent as established by the consttu
ton will surely end either in monarchy
or a tyrannical aristocracy. AS 1t now
stands I can neither give it my support
| in Virginia, nor sign it here. With the
expedient of another convention | could
sign"
Il, too. said Charles Pinckney, "object
30 the power of a majority of congress
over commerce; but, experimenting the
danger of general confusion and an ul
innate decision by the sword, shall give
the plan my support" Then Gerry
counted up eight objections to the con
stitution, "all'' of which he could yet
yet over, were it not that the legislature
had general power to make necessary
and proper laws, to raise armies and
money without limit, and to establish
"a star chamber as to civil cases. and
he, too, contended for second general
convention.
Ga the proposition for another owen
ton all the states answered No" Wash
ingtcn then put the question OF agreeing
to the constitution in its present torm;-
and all the states PRESENT answered"Aye.
The constitution was then ordered to be
engrossed, and late on the evening OF
Saturday the house adjourned.
One morning Washington, III a desul-
tory conversation with members of the
convention before the chair was taker,
observed how unhappy it would be should
any of them oppose the system when
they returned to their states. On Mon
day, the seventeenth of September, Frank
lin made last effort to win over the dis
senting members. Mr. President, said
he, several parts of this constitution
do not at present approve, but am not
sure shall never approve them. 1t as
tonishes me to find this system approach
ing So near to perfection | consent to
this constitution because | expect no bet
ter, and because am not sure that it is
not the best. The opinions | have had
of its errors | sacrifice to the pu Bile good.
son the whole, sir, cannot help ex
pressing a wish that every member of the
convention, who may still have objections
to it, would with me on this occasion
doubt little Of his own Instability, and
to manifest our unanimity, put his name
to this instrument" He then moved that
, the constitution be signed by the mem
0 bers; and he offered as the form of sigma
ture simple testimony that the consti
. tuition had received the unanimous cor
!. sent of the states present. But thi:
ample concession induced neither Mason
nor Gerry, nor Randolph to relent.
Before the question was put, Gorham
obeying an intimation from Washington
, | proposed to render the house of representa-
; tives more popular body by allowing on
u member for every thirty thousand inhabi
tants. He was warmly seconded by Kim
= and Carroll.
r Rising to put the question, the president
= after an apology for offering his sentiments
said 81 would make objections to the pla
as few as possible The smallness of tn
number of representatives has been consid
cred by many members as insufficient Sc
curity for the rights and interest of the pee
pie; and to myself has always appeared ey
ceptionabe late as is the moment, it viii
give me much satisfaction to see the amend
ment adopted And at his word it Wa
adopted unanimously.
On the question to agree to the engrosse'
constitution, all the states answered aye.
Randolph then apologized for refusing t
sign the constitutions, Notwithstanding tn
vast majority and the venerable nam,
l., which gave sanction to it's wisdom and it
| NoIIu. w uob uithll " tiIS iciiHhlJ II
continued, ito decide that | shall oppos
the constitution without doors; mean onl
to keep myself free to be governed by m.
duty, as it shall be prescribed by my futur
judgment"
81, too, had objections" said Gouverneu
Morris; 'but considering the present pla
}, the best that can be attained, | shall take
with all its faults. The moment it goes fort
the great question will be: Shall there be
national government, or a general anarchy
81 am anxious" said Hamilton, ''tha
every member should sign. \ few by re
fusuG may do infinite mischief. No man
- ideas are more remote from the plan thai
. nv own are known to be but it is possbl
6 to deliberate between anarchy and convul
~ sion on the one side, and the chance of goo,
re to be expected from the plan on the other?
!, 81" said Gerry, fear a civil war. Ii
r Massachusetts there are two parties: one de
~ voted to democracy, the worst, | think, O
). all political exilS; the other violent in til
these, confusion is to be greatly feared
81 shall sign the constitution with view
to support it with all my influence" sal,
Cotesworth Pinckuey, "and | wish to pledg
myself accordingly" Jared Ingersoll. o